The Sex Life of the Polyp (1928)
The Sex Life of the Polyp (1928) Dr. Benchley is addressing the Ladies Club on the subject of the reproductive habits of the polyp, a small aquatic organism. Although he is not able to display his live specimens, he has prepared a series of pictures of his subjects. He explains that the subject is m
Youll Never Get Rich (1941)
Youll Never Get Rich (1941) After his wife discovers a telltale diamond bracelet, impresario Martin Cortland tries to show he's not chasing after showgirl Sheila Winthrop. Choreographer Robert Curtis gets caught in the middle of the boss's scheme. Army conscription offers Robert the perfect escape f
The Reluctant Dragon (1941)
The Reluctant Dragon (1941) Humorist Robert Benchley attempts to find Walt Disney to ask him to adapt a short story about a gentle dragon who would rather recite poetry than be ferocious. Along the way, he is given a tour of Walt Disney Studios, and learns about the animation process.
I Married a Witch (1942)
I Married a Witch (1942) In 1672, two witches (Jennifer and her father Daniel) were burned by puritan Jonathan Wooley. In revenge, Jennifer cursed all future generations of the Wooley family, that the sons will always marry the wrong woman and be miserable. In the 20th century, a bolt of lightning f
An Hour for Lunch (1939)
An Hour for Lunch (1939) Robert Benchley demonstrates how to use a lunch hour when one has several things to do besides eat lunch. He goes to the barbershop to get a haircut but his favorite barber is busy. He drops by a department store to exchange a shirt that was the wrong size, but when he gets
How to Start the Day (1937)
How to Start the Day (1937) A laboratory researcher stands beside a gurney where an experimental patient, with wires and hoses attached, lies asleep. The researcher explains that people have asked for advice on how to wake up, so his lab is investigating reactions to loud noises and bright lights. H
The Skys the Limit (1943)
The Skys the Limit (1943) Flying Tiger Fred Atwell sneaks away from his famous squadron's personal appearance tour and goes incognito for several days of leave. He quickly falls for photographer Joan Manion, pursuing her in the guise of a carefree drifter.
How to Train a Dog (1936)
How to Train a Dog (1936) A narrator takes us thorough the process of a man choosing a dog, introducing the dog to its new home, beginning its training, feeding it, and dealing with misbehavior. The dog owner is himself a hapless everyman, picking out too many dogs at the pet store on an emotional w
Opening Day (1938)
Opening Day (1938) Because the mayor of Sneeversport is in Paris, city treasurer Benchley is called upon to throw out the ball for the first baseball game at the new Sneeversport Municipal Park. He delivers a speech that shows he knows very little about baseball.
How to Read (1938)
How to Read (1938) Humorist Robert Benchley offers a tongue-in-cheek lesson on how to avoid eye strain while reading.
How to Behave (1936)
How to Behave (1936) Benchley, a newspaper columnist who writes on issues of etiquette, receives a telephone call from two men working deep in a manhole, they who are arguing about what to do if a woman fell ...
The Trouble with Husbands (1940)
The Trouble with Husbands (1940) Benchley, in his own unique way, starts to drive his wife crazy. First he waits until just as she is serving dinner before he goes to wash his hands and shave. Then she sends him to the store for some butter, and he comes back with everything - except butter. Finally
Waiting for Baby (1941)
Waiting for Baby (1941) Mr. Benchley examines the pressures faced by expectant fathers.
How to Watch Football (1938)
How to Watch Football (1938) A man with pipe and smoking jacket relaxes in his easy chair as he listens to a football game on the radio. The announcer wishes everyone was with him at the stadium. With that, the fan at home dreams of a recent trip to the stadium to watch a game with his date. They en
How to Sleep (1935)
How to Sleep (1935) A lecturer seated at a desk promises an informative film about how to sleep; it's a sequel to and inspired by "How to stay awake," which put his audience to sleep. He plans to examine the causes of sleep, the causes of insomnia, and recent research on sleep, including a
Crime Control (1941)
Crime Control (1941) A police officer alerts his audience to the fact that inanimate objects can be as dangerous as human criminals. He then displays several offenders that have recently been brought in. Shoelaces, for example, have an objectionable habit of breaking at crucial moments. The officer
That Inferior Feeling (1940)
That Inferior Feeling (1940) Joe Doakes is giving his latest lecture, this one directed to and about men who often have an inferiority complex, which in turn makes them look more inferior than they really are. That inferiority can take many forms. A man can feel inferior to people of authority, such
Nothing But Nerves (1942)
Nothing But Nerves (1942) After some investigation, Robert Benchley finds his nerves are in a bad state. He has the jitters so bad he can't hold his cup still enough to drink his coffee, and he thinks the arrival of some plumbers is just a giant conspiracy to keep him unnerved.